Vancouver Canucks head coach John Tortorella pauses for a moment during a media availability at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Wednesday, Sept, 11, 2013. The Canucks started their training camp for the 2013-14 NHL season on Wednesday.JONATHAN HAYWARD
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo (right) listens to a question while Daniel Sedin looks on in the background during a media availability on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013, at Rogers Arena, at the opening of the NHL team’s training camp.wayne leidenfrost
/ PNG

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VANCOUVER — A couple of years ago, Ryan Kesler chafed and pouted when his old coach politely suggested publicly that the centre should better utilize his wingers. Imagine what will happen if Kesler’s new coach says he sucked.

The Vancouver Canucks’ hiring of John Tortorella to replace Alain Vigneault as head coach means Kesler is now only the second most emotional person on the National Hockey League team. When their emotions collide this season — and chances are they will at some point — it will be like a meteor screaming into an erupting volcano.

"Wow, we’re already starting this, are we?" Kesler, smiling, said Wednesday when asked on the first day of training camp if there could be a collision with Tortorella. "Who knows? There might be. I’m not thinking there will be. We’re pushing in the same direction. We want the same goal at the end of the day: we want to win. He’s probably going to have some days where I don’t play my best and he’s going to say something. That’s what I want. I want to be told what I’m doing right and what I’m doing wrong. He’s going to communicate."

Yes, he is. At least with the players. Clarity is not a problem with Tortorella.

"I’ve had a couple of conversations with Kes over the summer," Tortorella said. "As I’ve told you guys, I’m going to ask for more out of him. I know there’s more there. I’ve seen it.

"I always tell players: When you see it one time, you’re in trouble because you know it’s there. (The challenge) is getting it consistently. I know Kes is looking for that challenge. He’s looking to carry people with him. I think he’s looking to bring it to another level."

The best of what Tortorella saw from Kesler — a powerful, abrasive two-way centre capable of dominating at both ends of the rink — was 2½ years ago.

If you’re drafting a road map for the Canucks’ success this season, you can start with Kesler staying healthy and Tortorella managing to cajole, drag or inspire better hockey than the 29-year-old delivered the last two seasons.

Well, maybe the map starts with Roberto Luongo’s rebirth in net, but Kesler’s play will be either the road to ruin or the autobahn to the playoffs for the Canucks.

For two seasons, Kesler has struggled to overcome injuries and ineffectiveness. Considered in 2010-11 to be one of the best players in the game — and the top American in the NHL — Kesler struggled through the following season after major surgeries on his wrist and hip.

Last season, shoulder and foot injuries limited him to just 17 games. Kesler scored only four times, was minus-five and made an impact in only one of the four playoff losses that cost Vigneault his job.

Just three years ago, the Canucks went to the Stanley Cup final, Kesler won the Selke Trophy and the centre amassed 48 goals and 92 points in 107 league and playoff games.

In 103 games since then, he has 28 goals and 67 points and the Canucks are 1-8 in the playoffs.

"You hit the nail on the head there: I wasn’t good enough the past two seasons," Kesler said. "I know that. I spent this whole summer getting back to the player I was. I’m happy with my shot and where it’s at. I’m happy with my skating. This summer was needed for me. It’s really been a year since I played a sustained amount of games.

"I know there’s a tonne of expectations on me. I know there’s a tonne of pressure from inside the organization, to you guys, to the city. I know I have to play my best, and it starts today."

Actually, it will start Friday when the Canucks practise under Tortorella for the first time.

Vancouver’s first pre-season game is Monday against the San Jose Sharks, and its regular season opener is just 17 days later against the same team.

To help himself get ready, Kesler went outside the organization and hired his own skills coach this summer. Ron Johnson, who runs Elite Hockey Shooters in Delta, was flown by Kesler to his Detroit-area home for training sessions.

Johnson possesses a masters degree in science and specializes in the biomechanics of shooting and skating.

"Ryan is an incredible student," Johnson, 55, said Wednesday. "He really has a desire to improve. He wants to get better. He is driven by excellence. He’s completely committed to becoming the best hockey player he can be.

"I think he has become a more complete player offensively. I was really impressed with his work ethic and his commitment to change and I know he thinks he’s going to have a great year. I believe he will."

When told that Kesler thinks he can surpass the 41 regular-season goals he scored three years ago, Johnson agreed.

"He has some tools to use," Johnson said. "It’s going to be fun."

Kesler hasn’t known much fun since the Canucks’ Western Conference final win against the Sharks in 2011. He injured his hip in the final game against San Jose, but still managed to score a dramatic tying goal in the win that sent Vancouver to the Stanley Cup.

Kesler hasn’t been the same player since.

He acknowledged he needs, for the sake of self-preservation, to throttle back the recklessness in his game. But that may prove an impossible balancing act, especially with Tortorella imploring him to give "more" and play at his best every night.

"I think we’re a good fit," Kesler reiterated. "We both want to win. We both hate losing. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

"I think every player goes into a season thinking it’s going to be another career year and you’re going to play your best. But sometimes injuries happen and you just don’t play your best. I’m not making that as an excuse. I know this year, I’m thinking it’s going to be a career year. I’m thinking it’s going to be a great year not just for me but for the whole team. We’re going to prove a lot of people wrong. All those doubters out there, we’re going to make them eat their words."

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